Packaging for an object such as a digital recording medium that is contained within a plastic molded tray that is mounted on a panel. The tray is molded with extensions from opposite edges of one surface of the tray. Each extension folds to form a peripheral wall along that edge and it engages an element of the tray to permanently lock the extension in place. In their locked positions, the extensions fold around opposite edges of the panel so that the panel is locked in place under the tray.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. Packaging to contain a flat disc on a panel, the packaging comprising, a plastic, molded, disc retaining tray, the tray being mounted on the panel, the tray comprising, (a) a disc retainer to retain the disc on a surface of the tray, and (b) at least one extension from an edge of the tray surface, the extension being attached to the tray surface by a severable connection which breaks when the extension is folded from an initial position in which the extension extends generally away from the tray surface to a locking position in which the extension: i) extends transverse to the tray surface; ii) envelopes an edge of the panel to engage the tray in place over the panel and iii) comprises a first lock element that engages a second, co-operating lock element attached to the tray surface, to lock the extension in place in the locking position.
2. The packaging of claim 1 in which the tray comprises a peripheral wall extending transverse to the tray surface, said peripheral wall comprising said second lock element.
3. The packaging of claim 1 in which said extension is one member of a pair of extensions, the members of the pair extending from opposite edges of the tray surface, each member of said pair of said extensions comprising a said first lock element, and each member of said pair being attached to the surface by a severable connection which breaks when the extension is folded from an initial position generally in which the extension extends generally away from the tray surface to a locking position in which the extension: i) extends transverse to the tray surface; ii) envelopes an edge of the panel to engage the tray in place over the panel and iii) comprises a first lock element that engages a second, co-operating lock element attached to the tray surface, to lock the extension in place in the locking position.
4. The packaging of claim 1 in which the tray comprises at least two peripheral walls, each peripheral wall extending transverse to the tray surface adjacent opposite edges of the panel, each of said peripheral walls comprising one of said tray lock elements, the tray further comprising at least one pair of said at least one extension, the members of the pair extending from opposite edges of the tray surface, each of said extensions being attached to the surface by a severable connection which breaks when the extension is folded from an initial position generally in which the extension extends generally away from the tray surface to a locking position in which the extension: i) extends transverse to the tray surface; ii) envelopes an edge of the panel to engage the tray in place over the panel and iii) comprises a first lock element that engages a second, co-operating lock element attached to the tray surface, to lock the extension in place in the locking position.
5. The packaging of claim 3 or claim 4 in which at least one member of said pair of extensions includes a lip that engages an edge of the panel holding it in place.
6. The packaging of claim 1 in which one of said locking elements comprises a lug that mates with the other of said locking elements, the other of said locking elements comprising a recess to receive said lug.
7. The packaging of claim 6 in which the lug is said second locking element attached to said tray surface.
8. The packaging of claim 1 in which one of said locking elements comprises a spring clip that resiliently mates with the other of said locking elements, the other of said locking elements being a recess sized to receive said spring clip.
9. The packaging of claim 6 in which said spring clip comprises a pair of resilient prongs.
10. The packaging of claim 1 in which said tray comprises a plastic material that is substantially clear.
11. The packaging of claim 1 or claim 9 in which said tray is crystal styrene polymer.
12. A method of assembling the packaging of claim 1 comprising assembling said tray to said panel by (a) positioning said tray over said panel; and (b) moving said extension from said initial position to said locking position.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
January 13, 2004
July 25, 2006
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